September 14 marked exactly one year since I took my first steps of the Camino de Santiago. It would be a 35-day and 500-mile walk across Northern Spain. I would encounter landscapes that made my breath catch, people from around the world, and plenty of cultural education in the rural villages and big cities I traipsed through. I didn’t plan on publishing anything this week, but between the timing being right and the nostalgia I’m steeped in, it felt like a good topic to speak about. So, today I’m talking my One Year Anniversary of the Camino de Santiago. And y’all, I am in my FEELS.

Quick trip to Rome, anyone? My big 10-day trip to Italy is over, and I’m still dreaming of Cacio e Pepe in Rome, family fun in Grottaminarda, and stunning Sorrento views. The trip was ten days and strictly planned—tours, stays, rides, and most meals set up in advance. It’s not the way I normally travel, but it was nice to experience something different. I talk about this adjusting to a new travel style in my last post “Get in Loser, We’re Going to ITALY!”, where I also note our entire itinerary and my apprehension about sharing a room.

Buongiorno di Italia! The last time we caught up I was debating taking a trip to Italy with my aunt. I waffled back and forth for months about whether I’d join or not, and, probably surprising no one, here I am in Italy. Today I’m sharing some trip details and some other thoughts: About traveling way outside your comfort zone and the age-old dilemma of YOLO vs. responsibility. Read on for more. Andiamo!

Ahhh summer flying. It isn’t for the faint of heart. My recent “easy trip” to San Juan was anything but. Delays and unexpected layovers, broken planes and broken plans, contract issues and bodily harm made this one for the books, and definitely one for the blog. I’m recapping this horrible trip and its silver linings, how it all shook out, and the lessons learned along the way. Buckle up, this will NOT be a smooth ride.

I struggled to come up with a topic for this week’s blog post. So here we are, doing updates. I don’t have something standing out in my mind. No big trip planned, no hellish work experience to gab about, no fresh heartbreak to offer up. No sassy flight attendant quips about the stupidity of the flying public. (No offense, guys, I’m obviously not talking about you.)